change of status for 12+ months of medical stay

[madbull]

Hello!

My mother is getting treated in the US for cancer. She entered the US on a H1/B1 visa. The treatment will last for 12+ months, in which the doctors advised my mother to NOT FLY.

My sister is a US citizen by marriage

My father is also in the States - he helps driving my mother to doctors visits, therapy sessions, etc.

The situation is posing significant financial stress - living expenses for 3 people, of which 2 are not working, medical bills, etc. We are currently thinking of how to change my parents' status in the States, so that:
(1) my dad can work legally to help alleviate the financial stress
(2) my mother can stay beyond the 6 month max stay length on H1B1 visa, so that she can complete the treatment

We considered doing the paperwork for I-130/I-485 but, at roughly $3,000 processing fees total for my parents, it is really a lot of money for us right now which we cannot afford. We have also considered applying for an extension for stay on H1B1 but my father would still not be able to work.

With these 2 options sidelined, what would you readers suggest as viable alternatives to this problem?

Any ideas are welcome! Thank you so much!

[nicolemawyer]

Idea

Hello!

My mother is getting treated in the US for cancer. She entered the US on a H1/B1 visa. The treatment will last for 12+ months, in which the doctors advised my mother to NOT FLY.

My sister is a US citizen by marriage

My father is also in the States - he helps driving my mother to doctors visits, therapy sessions, etc.

The situation is posing significant financial stress - living expenses for 3 people, of which 2 are not working, medical bills, etc. We are currently thinking of how to change my parents' status in the States, so that:
(1) my dad can work legally to help alleviate the financial stress
(2) my mother can stay beyond the 6 month max stay length on H1B1 visa, so that she can complete the treatment

We considered doing the paperwork for I-130/I-485 but, at roughly $3,000 processing fees total for my parents, it is really a lot of money for us right now which we cannot afford. We have also considered applying for an extension for stay on H1B1 but my father would still not be able to work.

With these 2 options sidelined, what would you readers suggest as viable alternatives to this problem?

Any ideas are welcome! Thank you so much!

I don't know if there is other options, but if AOS is the solution and you're under such special circumstances you should share your story on Go Fund Me or something of the sorts. I'm sure people will help you out, I will if you do!